Freeway Demolition and Economic Regeneration in San Francisco

Transcription

1 Freeway Demolition and Economic Regeneration in San Francisco TRANSform Scotland Is Transport Good for Your Wealth? April 22, 2002 Andrew Nash, P.E.

2 Presentation Outline Loma Prieta Earthquake Embarcadero Freeway Central Freeway Economic Impacts Lessons Learned TRANSform Scotland

3 Loma Prieta Earthquake October 17, 1989 Earthquake Strength: 7.1 Richter Scale Epicenter: About 70 miles south of San Francisco Serious Damage to Transportation Infrastructure: SF Bay Bridge: Closed, Repaired, Re-opened (one Month) Oakland Cypress Freeway: Collapsed, Demolished, Replaced SF I-280 Freeway: Damaged Repaired SF Embarcadero Freeway: Damaged SF Central Freeway: Damaged TRANSform Scotland

4 SFOBB West Approach Project Site Hayward Fault N E San Andreas Fault Loma Prieta Epicenter W S TRANSform Scotland

5 San Francisco Earthquake Recovery Repair Transportation System = Highest Economic Priority But Recognized as Unique Opportunity to Address San Francisco s Freeway Mistakes TRANSform Scotland

6 Who Decides? Freeways owned by California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Citizens of San Francisco: Well Organized and Politically Astute on BOTH SIDES! Multiple City Agencies Ultimately Required State Legislature and Federal Highway Administration Approvals TRANSform Scotland

7 Embarcadero Freeway Built mid-1950s as Part of Planned Freeway along SF Waterfront Led to 1960s San Francisco Freeway Revolt Several Previous Attempts to Remove Freeway (in 1984 voters rejected demolition) TRANSform Scotland

8 Embarcadero Freeway TRANSform Scotland

9 Embarcadero: Process Environmental Groups organized quickly to demand removal Merchants Demanded Reconstruction Especially Chinatown and Fisherman s Wharf Significant Technical Debate on Repair/ Rebuild and Costs/ Timing TRANSform Scotland

10 Embarcadero: Process Sea Lion Paradox: If people could come see the Sea Lions, why couldn t they get to Chinatown and Fisherman s Wharf? Significant Discussion on Attractiveness of Chinatown and Fisherman s Wharf. TRANSform Scotland

11 Embarcadero: Process Long Political Process Decision: Replace Freeway with Extension to Planned Roadway with Historic Trolley Cars in Median Long Design Process TRANSform Scotland

12 Embarcadero: Results Economic Impacts Encouraged New Development (Including Downtown Baseball Stadium) Created Attractive Urban Place Property Values Increased Significantly Many More People Visit and Use TRANSform Scotland

13 Embarcadero Roadway Redevelopment TRANSform Scotland

14 Embarcadero Boulevard Development TRANSform Scotland

15 Central Freeway Built mid-1950s as part of planned freeway through neighborhoods to Golden Gate Bridge Construction stopped after Freeway Revolt Huge cut destroyed neighborhood. Area rift with prostitution, drugdealing, and other antisocial behavior. TRANSform Scotland

16 Central Freeway: Process Freeway Closed Northern End Torn-Down (too damaged to repair) Significant Technical Debate on Repair/ Rebuild and Costs/ Timing Neighborhood begins to redevelop without freeway. TRANSform Scotland

17 Central Freeway: Process Neighbors organize and call for freeway demolition. Planning Process and Environmental Studies Plan for Freeway Alternatives West Side Awakens: Freeway Users Unite TRANSform Scotland

18 Central Freeway: Politics 1997: Rebuild - Passes 1998: Boulevard - Passes 1999-a: Rebuild Fails 1999-b: Boulevard Passes Much Political Intrigue Often not related to Freeway Issues at all. TRANSform Scotland

19 Central Freeway: Process Octavia Boulevard Design Process Citizen Based with Expert Input Boulevard Design & Planning Finally Approved by Caltrans (2000) TRANSform Scotland

20 Central Freeway Replacement: Octavia Boulevard TRANSform Scotland

21 Central Freeway: Results Economic Impacts Encouraged New Development: Hayes Valley Housing Retail Mixed Use Created Attractive Urban Place Property Values Increased Significantly TRANSform Scotland

22 Hayes Valley Redevelopment TRANSform Scotland

23 An Aside: Traffic Reduction in Zurich Extensive Transit Priority Program Implemented 1975 to Present Significantly Improved Transit System Reduced Downtown Parking Improved Urban Design Reduced Traffic Capacity Results: Economically Vibrant and Successful Downtown TRANSform Scotland

24 Economic Impacts: Access Ability to Get Somewhere Does a path exist? (Road, Transit, Walk) What are the qualities of the travel experience? Desire to Get There Is there something worth going for? TRANSform Scotland

25 Access/Attractiveness Tradeoff When a place is attractive enough people will come no matter how hard it is to get there. They Change mode (are other modes available?) Change travel time Sea Lion Paradox TRANSform Scotland

26 But Removing the Freeway Will Cause Gridlock! San Francisco Experience: More traffic on surface streets, but no gridlock and increased retail activity. Portland Oregon: Riverfront freeway removed, improved economy. Research by Sally Cairns, C. Hass-Klau & P.B. Goodwin: Removing capacity leads to less traffic in local area. TRANSform Scotland

27 Can Changing the Transportation System Make a Place More Attractive? Yes San Francisco Development on the Waterfront and in the Hayes Valley has been Tremendous. San Francisco s Economy has not suffered from the transportation changes. TRANSform Scotland

28 Can Changing the Transportation System Make a Place More Attractive? But San Francisco had alternative transportation available: Access. San Francisco s Economy has been extremely strong and the City is a very attractive place to live: Attractiveness. TRANSform Scotland

29 Lesson 1: Public Support Message: People buy things, cars don t. Therefore economic success ultimately means focusing on access by people not cars. Show examples of successful places without freeways and heavy auto traffic. Communicate research findings such as Cairns, Hass-Klau & Goodwin. TRANSform Scotland

30 Lesson 2: Plan Carefully Alternative access is critical; is it high quality? What complimentary techniques could help increase success and public support? Traffic engineering can make or break the plan; the traffic engineer should be your friend! TRANSform Scotland

31 Lesson 3: Politics Recognize that politics will be involved and jump into the water (with the sharks). Learn how to be effective in your political environment. TRANSform Scotland

32 Lesson 4: Implement Carefully Take small steps and keep focused on the long term vision. Implement big impact projects first build support for more controversial projects. Don t unnecessarily alienate people; take street space only when you have a real use. TRANSform Scotland

33 Lesson 5: Seize Opportunities Everyone can t rely on Earthquakes, But there are other major changes that you can take advantage of, use them! Advance planning can help you take advantage of the opportunities and can help create them. TRANSform Scotland

34 Thank You! TRANSform Scotland